Abstract
The idea that a reserve or system of reserves should represent the range of biological variation in a given region has been advocated widely. In 1970 UNESCO, through its Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program, initiated a project to conserve natural areas throughout the world by establishing biosphere reserves (UNESCO, 1974). The immediate and main aim of biosphere reserves was to represent the range of Dasmann’s (1973) global biotic provinces, as updated by Udvardy (1975), in an international system of reserves. Achievement of that aim was seen as necessary to provide sample ecosystems in a natural state, maintain ecological diversity and environmental regulation, conserve genetic resources and provide education, research and environmental monitoring (IUCN, 1978).
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1986 Chapman and Hall Ltd
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Austin, M.P., Margules, C.R. (1986). Assessing representativeness. In: Usher, M.B. (eds) Wildlife Conservation Evaluation. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4091-8_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4091-8_2
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8315-7
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-4091-8
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive